Toy volcano apparatus.



Patented June 16,1914.

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LEVI .'K. BRUBAKER, 0F LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA.

TOY VOLCANO APPARATUS.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, Lnvr K. BRUBAKER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Lititz, in the county ofLancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and usefulImprovements in rloy Volcano Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements 1n toys and more particularly toa toy volcano apparatus. The equipment which forms the apparatus isemployed in combination with a mound of sand built up in simulation of aburning peak and in such combination the oiiice of the equipment isthree-fold, viz: first, to enable the mound to be constructed firmly andrapidly along substantially accurate lines; second, to provide aconcealed internal reinforce which braces the mound both vertically andhorizontally and which furnishes a stable base therefor; and third, toprovide a smoke generator and conductor which latter terminates at theapex of the mound and at its termination presents a miniature craterfrom which issues the smoke or the smoke and sparks developed by thegenerator. The apparatus when set up for use is designed to be ofrelatively small dimensions, e. g., eight or ten inches more or less,both vertically and horizontally and, being` light and easily set up,may be safely and satisfactorily used by children at the sea shore or inkindergarten in the construction of miniature active volcanoes or ofminiature mountain ranges having occasional volcanic peaks. It is,therefore, an agency at once of amusement and instruction, concretelyillustrating the simple facts concerning volcanic disturbances which aretaught in the elementary grades, stimulating the desire for furtherstudy of the direct and kindred subjects involved, and insensiblydeveloping the constructive or creative faculty of the mind.

A n embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the equipment, perse, with its parts set up for use; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional viewof the equipment in combination with a mound of sand built up insimulation of a volcanic peak; Fig. 3 is a erspective vien7 showing theequipment wit its parts dismantled.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April G, 1914.

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Serial No. 829,966.

Similar characters of reference designate c )rresponding` partsthroughout the several views.

The apparatus comprises a base 1 which is preferably of rectangularoutline and is relatively shallow. rlhe base 1 carries an upright column2 which is located preferably centrally of said base. In the embodimentshown, the base 1 is in the form of a box, having a lid 3 and the column2, which is preferably made in jointed sect-ions 2a, is tubular andalines with an opening 4 provided in the cover 3 establishingcommunication between the interior of the base 1 and the column 2, thesaid opening being defined by an annular flange 5 which fits the lowerend of the column 2.

The base l serves as a container for any suit-able slowly combustiblesmoke-developing material and the column 2 serves as a chimney forconducting away the smoke generated in the base 1. The base 1 is alsoprovided at one end thereof with a draft tube 6 which, like the column2, is preferably made in sections and through which air is conductedinto the base to promote the combustion of the smoke-developingmaterial.

When not in use, the column 2 and the draft tube 6 may be convenientlyarranged within the base 1, as shown in Fig. 3. When in use, the drafttube 6 is fitted on a liange 7 provided at one end of the base and thecolumn 2 is fitted on the flange 5. The apparatus, set up in thismanner, is then placed upon the ground, or any other suitablefoundation, and a mound of sand is built about the same in the form of avolcanic peak. rlhis mound may be rmly constructed, since its stabilityis assured by the base 1, and since said base and its column 2 provideboth horizontal and vertical reinforcement. The base and column,moreover, determine the vertical and horizontal maximum dimensions ofthe mound, the upper end of the column 2 coinciding with the apex of themound and presenting a miniature crater, and the base 1 terminating ateach end substantially adjacent the base of the mound. The apparatusthus provides a reinforcement for the mound and facilitates the erectionthereof for the reasons above stated. After the mound. has been formedas desired, the smoke-developing materal contained within the base is'ignited in any suitable manner, e. g., by means of a piece of punk whichis inserted through the draft tube 6.

The apparatus may be used with absolute safety, since it does notdevelop any Haine and since the metal surfaces Which might be heated bythe combustion of the material in the box l are not exposed but arecompletely covered by the sand of Which the mound is constructed. Theapparatus is, moreover, a safe package for storage or shipment since itdoes not embody any coinbustible parts.

Having fully described my invention, I claim l. A toy volcano apparatusconstructed to provide a reinforcing skeleton, about which a mound ofsand, formed in simulation of a volcanic peak may be constructed, thesaid apparatus including a hollow base constituting a container forsmoke generating material, an open-ended draft tube communieating Withthe base and an upright tubular column communicating With the base andopen at its upper end, said column determining and coinciding with themaximum vertical dimension of the mound and constituting a smokeconductor.

2. A toy volcano apparatus constructed to provide a reinforcing skeletonabout which a mound of sand, formed in simulation of a volcanic peak maybe constructed, the said apparatus including a hollow base constitutinga container for smoke generating material, having an uprighttubularcolumn communicating With the base and open at its upper end,said column determining and coinciding With the maximum verticaldimension of the mound in constituting a smoke conductor, the basehaving a removable lid and the column being detachably fitted upon saidlid and being formed to be arranged Within the base when the apparatusis not in use.

In testimony vvhereof I have hereunto ,set my hand in presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

LEVI K. BRUBAKER.

Witnesses C. N. DEER,

W ILsoN BAUM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained foi' live cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

